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Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Office Denies Viral Assassination Rumours
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed viral social media rumours claiming that he had been assassinated, calling the reports “fake news” and confirming that the leader is safe.
Speculation began spreading online after Netanyahu posted a video on his official X account. Some users claimed the video appeared unusual and suggested that it might have been generated using artificial intelligence. A few viewers pointed to what they believed was an extra finger visible in the footage, which led to conspiracy theories about the authenticity of the video and the possibility that the prime minister had been replaced by a digitally generated version.
The rumours quickly gained traction across several social media platforms, prompting fact-checking responses from analysts and technology observers.
Responding to media queries, Netanyahu’s office told Turkish news agency Anadolu Ajansı that the claims were completely false. Officials confirmed that the Israeli leader was safe and continuing his duties.
Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence chatbot Grok on the X platform also addressed the speculation, explaining that the apparent “extra finger” was simply a visual illusion rather than evidence of manipulated footage.
The chatbot further stated that rumours of Netanyahu’s death circulating in some Iranian media outlets and social media posts had already been debunked by multiple sources, including fact-checking organisations and news outlets.
Another claim circulating online suggested that the prime minister’s office had posted and later deleted a statement about the rumours. However, Grok clarified that the screenshot being shared was fabricated and that no such post had been removed.
Officials reiterated that the only recent update from the prime minister’s office on X concerned an announcement from Israel’s National Security Council.
The episode highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online during periods of geopolitical tension.
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